Hardoi, November 12: A family of four travelling from Noida to Prayagraj for festive celebrations was killed after their SUV crashed into the central divider of the Ganga Expressway in Hardoi district on Wednesday, November 11, the Times of India (Lucknow) reported. Police are examining how the vehicle went out of control, and the cause of the crash has not yet been established.

Source: Times of India (Lucknow), via Urban Acres

The accident took place at around 1 p.m. near Bhatouli Mafi village, under the Sandi police station area, at kilometre marker 317 of the expressway, about 40 km from the Hardoi district headquarters, according to the report. Police said the SUV struck the central divider with such force that it was dragged nearly 30 metres before coming to a halt, and the vehicle was severely damaged.

The deceased were identified as Saurabh Upadhyay, 40, and his wife Menaka Upadhyay, 35, along with their two young sons, aged seven years and 18 months. Saurabh, Menaka and their elder son died at the spot, police said. The critically injured toddler was taken to a nearby community health centre, where doctors attempted resuscitation, but he was later declared dead.

Police teams from the Sandi, Bilgram and Harpalpur stations reached the spot after receiving information about the crash. The bodies were taken for legal formalities and post-mortem examinations, the report said.

The family had left Noida on Wednesday morning for Prayagraj, where they were to meet relatives for Bhai Dooj and Chhath celebrations. Saurabh Upadhyay, who worked as a vice-chairman at a Noida-based services company, according to the Times of India report, was originally from the Neem Sarai area of Mundera in Prayagraj. His wife was originally from Ghazipur, and her parental family currently lives in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar.

The Free Press Journal also reported the deaths of four members of the family, including two children, in the Hardoi crash. Police say the investigation will establish the sequence of events immediately before the SUV left its path and struck the divider; whether speed, driver fatigue, a mechanical failure or road conditions played a role has not been established.

Source: Free Press Journal, via MyPressToday